Sox acquire Ian Kinsler

[Bellhorn04]

...which makes for an interesting dilemma this offseason, since one of the catchers is likely to be moved...

 

Just another fun little project for DD...

 

Right now it seems quite possible he could trade Vazquez.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I believe Vazquez's pitch framing is superior to Leon's. If I'm not mistaken, Vazquez is also better at throwing out runners? Vazquez is the better defensive catcher.

 

Also, Vazquez is signed for 3 years. He will be here longer than Leon.

Edited July 31, 2018 by Fan_since_Boggs

[Bellhorn04]

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I believe Vazquez's pitch framing is superior to Leon's. If I'm not mistaken, Vazquez is also better at throwing out runners? Vazquez is the better defensive catcher.

 

There's more to it than those numbers will tell.

[a700hitter]

They will never trade Holt--he is too valuable as a utility player and he is having a good year. With Kinsler added to the mix, Holt will return to that utility role--he will probably play some OF, keeping Martinez at DH, while seeing some playing time at 2b and SS.

 

I would expect a Devers/Nunez platoon at 3b, with Devers siting against lefties. They aren't trading Nunez--he is one of the leaders on the team and an important voice in the clubhouse. They might move Nunez in the offseason, but they aren't going to trade him now.

Nunez and Holt will probably share 3B until Devers comes back. After Devers comes back, he should share 3B with Nunez and Holt will be utility guy spelling Bogey and Kinsler.

 

That would be a bench of;

 

Nunez

Holt

Pierce

Swihart

 

That is a very versatile group and should do a good job of keeping the starters fresh.

 

As for Pedroia, the Red Sox have been downgrading his possible return date. He is now listed as "Possibly 2018".

[Fan_since_Boggs]

So Kinsler replaces Lin.

 

When Devers returns (sometime in August), the Red Sox go to a 12 man pitching staff (as Dombrowski already stated). In that scenario, either Brasier or Velazquez is sent down. Alternatively, the dark horse move: Pomeranz is released or put on DL.

 

When Vazquez returns in September: expanded rosters.

 

If Rodriquez returns in August, he replaces one of the the three: Brasier, Velazquez, Pomeranz.

Edited July 31, 2018 by Fan_since_Boggs

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Nunez and Holt will probably share 3B until Devers comes back. After Devers comes back, he should share 3B with Nunez and Holt will be utility guy spelling Bogey and Kinsler.

 

That would be a bench of;

 

Nunez

Holt

Pierce

Swihart

 

That is a very versatile group and should do a good job of keeping the starters fresh.

 

As for Pedroia, the Red Sox have been downgrading his possible return date. He is now listed as "Possibly 2018".

 

I agree. Also, along with playing SS and 2b, Holt will be used to give some rest to the outfielders. Betts looks like he could use a day off. I would like to see the Red Sox give Betts a day off tonight, get him rested for the Yankees series. The Red Sox will probably lose tonight anyway with dog s*** starting the game.

[sk7326]

Is keeping Nunez worth losing 10 draft slots plus having his $4M count on next year's budget?

 

It's a close call, to me.

 

Once Devers, Kinsler and Vaz are added to the 25 man roster for August and the playoffs (forget Sept for a moment), who goes?

 

Lin- yes

Holt? I'd rather keep him than Nunez

Nunez or Swihart? Both out of options, so a phantom DL would work, but one sits for the playoffs anyways.

Pearce (no options) or Devers (3 left)? I think not.

 

 

 

The marginal difference between picks 30 and 40 is almost zero. The surplus penalties means Henry has to put off buying another plane. SAD!

[Fan_since_Boggs]

I believe the Red Sox are under the highest luxury tax penalty; otherwise, why get the Angels to cover Kinsler's contract? No one really knows except for the organization but the tea leaves suggest they are under it.

[mvp 78]

Nunez and Holt will probably share 3B until Devers comes back. After Devers comes back, he should share 3B with Nunez and Holt will be utility guy spelling Bogey and Kinsler.

 

That would be a bench of;

 

Nunez

Holt

Pierce

Swihart

 

That is a very versatile group and should do a good job of keeping the starters fresh.

 

As for Pedroia, the Red Sox have been downgrading his possible return date. He is now listed as "Possibly Traded".

 

That contract is just so undermarket tho.

[FredLynn]

So Kinsler replaces Lin.

 

When Devers returns (sometime in August), the Red Sox go to a 12 man pitching staff (as Dombrowski already stated). In that scenario, either Brasier or Velazquez is sent down. Alternatively, the dark horse move: Pomeranz is released or put on DL.

 

When Vazquez returns in September: expanded rosters.

 

If Rodriquez returns in August, he replaces one of the the three: Brasier, Velazquez, Pomeranz.

 

Lets see....who among those three is most deserving to be demoted or released...hmmm. This is not the dress rehearsal any more. Its August. The show is on. Get rid of Pomeranz. He isn't coming back next year anyway.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

So Kinsler replaces Lin.

 

When Devers returns (sometime in August), the Red Sox go to a 12 man pitching staff (as Dombrowski already stated). In that scenario, either Brasier or Velazquez is sent down. Alternatively, the dark horse move: Pomeranz is released or put on DL.

 

When Vazquez returns in September: expanded rosters.

 

If Rodriquez returns in August, he replaces one of the the three: Brasier, Velazquez, Pomeranz.

 

I believe POM's performance today will answer a lot of questions. If he shits the bed again, he'll either be put in the BP or placed on the 60 day DL.

[mvp 78]

I believe POM's performance today will answer a lot of questions. If he shits the bed again, he'll either be put in the BP or placed on the 60 day DL.

 

May as well just waive him at that point.

[Carbo-Diem]

May as well just waive him at that point.

 

I'm guessing that Johnson will be warming up in the 1st and enter the game either late 2nd or to start the 3rd. At that point, there is no reason to keep old frowny face PomPom around anymore.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

May as well just waive him at that point.

 

Yes, there's certainly that option. I still believe he's suffering from a tired arm because of the number of pitches he's thrown the previous 2 years. If he looks lethargic again today, I think they should just shut him down for the rest of the season.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

On the other hand because I'm a SOX fan. I'm hoping a miracle happens and today POM finds what he had last year. Hope and miracle in the same sentence doesn't display a whole lot of confidence. Edited July 31, 2018 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[kenmeister]

On the other hand because I'm a SOX fan. I'm hoping a miracle happens and today POM finds what he had last year. Hope and miracle in the same sentence doesn't display a whole lot of confidence.

 

If your miracle occurs and Pomeranz pitches great, hooray.

If Pomeranz is horrible and Johnson comes in to save the day, also great.

If both are miserable, that would be sad.

[mvp 78]

I'm guessing that Johnson will be warming up in the 1st and enter the game either late 2nd or to start the 3rd. At that point, there is no reason to keep old frowny face PomPom around anymore.

 

Well, he averages a home run once every 3.8 innings so just pull him at 3.74 innings.

[Dojji]

So pull him with 2 out in the bottom of the 4th inning and at least one strike on the final batter?

[Maxbialystock]

On the other hand because I'm a SOX fan. I'm hoping a miracle happens and today POM finds what he had last year. Hope and miracle in the same sentence doesn't display a whole lot of confidence.

 

I'm a Sox fan too--only longer--and that's why i want Pom to have a lousy game and be dealt or demoted or whatever works. I also want to win tonight's game, so I'm hoping the hole Pom digs will not be unclimboutable. 3 or 4 runs in 2 innings should do it.

[mvp 78]

So pull him with 2 out in the bottom of the 4th inning and at least one strike on the final batter?

 

Yup. That's just how analytics work.

[Station 13]

Pomeranz couldn't even beat the Orioles. I hope he is on a short leash tonight, if he is at 40 pitches without completing the 3rd inning, he needs to GTFO.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm a Sox fan too--only longer--and that's why i want Pom to have a lousy game and be dealt or demoted or whatever works. I also want to win tonight's game, so I'm hoping the hole Pom digs will not be unclimboutable. 3 or 4 runs in 2 innings should do it.

 

I could never think this way.

[Bellhorn04]

Pomeranz couldn't even beat the Orioles. I hope he is on a short leash tonight, if he is at 40 pitches without completing the 3rd inning, he needs to GTFO.

 

41 pitches for 3 innings would be pretty good...

[Station 13]

41 pitches for 3 innings would be pretty good...

 

Which he will not be able to do. He simply throws way too many pitches that are not competitive. Maybe 50 pitches. Our bullpen got used a lot lately and it his is night....so Cora better manage him better if we want a shot at winning.

Edited July 31, 2018 by Station 13

[mvp 78]

I could never think this way.

 

If he reverted to 2017, it would be best for all parties.

[jd98]

I agree, and although Buttrey might have more upside than either of us think he has, the guy has been in the system for 7 years and was ranked only 19th in a down system. The highest he ever got was 17th.

 

That's actually pretty good for a RP. They don't get ranked nearly as high as SP or hitters. Buttrey was the 2nd highest ranked RP at #19, and I assume he would have moved up some in the next rankings. First is Durbin Feltman at #17.

 

I don't like this trade either. It's ok on paper. He should be slight upgrade, but it's just not needed. We're on pace for 112 wins, 6 games ahead of the 2nd best record in the league. So maybe we win 114 instead of 112. Whoopdedoo. Some things get called a myth here, one thing I think is a myth is building a team for the postseason. The only position that I'd expect to move the needle for the postseason is a top SP, and even that's far from certain.

 

I also find it weird how the consensus is 'these middle relievers are expendable, they're a dime a dozen.'

'Now we still need to add a RP, can never have enough RPs'

[Bellhorn04]

I don't like this trade either. It's ok on paper. He should be slight upgrade, but it's just not needed. We're on pace for 112 wins, 6 games ahead of the 2nd best record in the league. So maybe we win 114 instead of 112. Whoopdedoo. Some things get called a myth here, one thing I think is a myth is building a team for the postseason. The only position that I'd expect to move the needle for the postseason is a top SP, and even that's far from certain.

 

The AL East is far from clinched.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I'm a Sox fan too--only longer--and that's why i want Pom to have a lousy game and be dealt or demoted or whatever works. I also want to win tonight's game, so I'm hoping the hole Pom digs will not be unclimboutable. 3 or 4 runs in 2 innings should do it.

 

Only longer? Why are you so certain of that?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Only longer? Why are you so certain of that?

 

Btw, how does hoping POM fails make the SOX a better team?

[FredLynn]

Btw, how does hoping POM fails make the SOX a better team?

 

Because Pomeranz stinks. He may have a single good game, but the chances that he will be useful to this team with any consistency are virtually nil. I would rather give someone who is competent a chance and release Pomeranz.